COCOA WALK, Manchester — Against the backdrop of Manchester, for the second consecutive year starting with an alleged family dispute over ‘dead lef’ as a possible motive resulting in the death of a man, a leader here is calling for relatives to mediate over conflicts.

“… There is a breakdown in our family structure. Manchester reported the highest number of domestic incidents last year and in some of the cases we are seeing where material things have been valued above life. People have lost their lives over disputes over land, houses or something like that,” Custos of Manchester Garfield Green told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday.

A day earlier, a police report said Cross Keys taxi operator Gary Taylor, 51, was at a house in Cocoa Walk about 5:05 pm when an argument developed between a relative and himself. The police said the relative used an object to hit Taylor in the head and upper body. Taylor collapsed and was taken to hospital where he died while undergoing treatment early Wednesday morning. Police sources said the accused turned himself in following the incident.

A grieving relative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Taylor was trying to get relatives to move out of the house in Cocoa Walk when tragedy struck.

“Gary only came here and was warning them to be careful, because they were supposed to leave. Gary told them to leave, because he got an order from a cousin overseas that they should leave. They disobeyed and planned to kill Gary. A ambush dem ambush him, because dem chop him inna him head,” the relative explained.

Another relative, Michelle Cole, said the family has been left devastated.

“It stemmed from a family dispute which started sometime [last] year and the whole family is saddened right now. Gary was a very jovial person, friendly, hard-working; a family person. He stood with his kids and his wife. A very genuine person when it comes to family,” she said.

“I am disappointed, because what happened [on Tuesday] should not have happened. It should have been reported. The other day Gary’s mom got into a minor argument with these people and it should have been reported, but I know she [was] sorry for them, because it is all family,” added Cole.

On January 19, 2023, United Kingdom resident Michael Brown, 48, was gunned down in Mike Town where police theorised an alleged six-year family dispute over land and houses was the motive. He was shot and killed about 12:20 am while in bed, four days after laying his 74-year-old mother to rest. His relative Lemone Brown, 38, was charged with murder.

Later that month, Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck reiterated the need for people to make a will in order to minimise contention among relatives after death.

“Nothing creates more problems than ‘dead lef’, and it is the freeness mentality that we have in this country. Everybody feels they must get something; if it is not from the Government, the pastors or the politician, they must get something out of what their parents leave. It belongs to them and they fight over it. There is no question of sharing appropriately. Everybody wants the lion’s share and especially when regrettably the parents have not left a will… People must make a will. When you make a will, it at least indicates how the property will be shared when you die,” he told his audience at the Church Teachers’ College in Mandeville.

Green, who said he is “disturbed” over the incidents, is aiming to facilitate attitudinal change and social revitalisation through the Manchester Beliefs, Values and Attitudes (BVA) initiative to stem conflicts.

“… This is something that I have focused on through our BVA initiative. I want to encourage our people, churches, teachers, schools, the police and the JPs to do whatever we can to build family values. There is the Justice Centre in Mandeville where counselling is provided, mediation is provided, intervention is provided, and I would just encourage our people, whenever there is disputes, don’t use violence to settle the matter. Seek help. There are too many avenues out there for help. Just be the bold one to step up, step away from the issue and seek help,” said Green.

“When people lose their lives it is just too much that is lost. It is not just the life that is gone, but the family that is hurting, and the cost on the health sector too and the strain that is put on the police. I just want our people to be mindful, have some love, have some respect for life, have some compassion and tolerance. Also, be willing to negotiate or mediate over things,” added Green.